Guest blogger Brent Tarter, moderator emeritus, contributed this week’s post about Governor John Letcher’s papers, specifically the letters he received from Virginia citizens at the time of the secession crisis. These letters, which reside in the state archives at the Library of Virginia (LVA), offer a fascinating window into the views of ordinary Virginians from around the state about the deepening national crisis. Brent is a founding editor of the Dictionary of Virginia Biography and helped to create the exhibit Union or Secession: Virginians Decide which is on display now at the LVA. He has also been a friend to our blog offering his help and advice. http://www.virginiamemory.com/blogs/out_of_the_box/ To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html